'I don't trust players' - Clough fumes after loss

Nigel Clough guided Mansfield to promotion from League Two last season

Mansfield manager Nigel Clough says players do not have his trust as he lambasted Hiram Boateng for an “incredibly silly decision” that left 10-man Mansfield to crumble to an astonishing defeat at Bolton Wanderers.

Boateng had put the Stags ahead with a first-half goal but it was the midfielder's 70th-minute dismissal for a foul on Randell Williams – his second caution in 11 minutes - that changed the game.

Bolton levelled through Dion Charles soon after and two more goals within 10 minutes from Victor Adeboyejo and John McAtee completed a stunning comeback win for the hosts.

"That's three points thrown away," Clough told BBC Radio Nottingham.

"We have now lost four league games on the spin which is a disgrace considering the four performances we have put in.

“But we must do everything absolutely right to get a result. We did 90% of it right but one player made an incredibly silly decision and it cost us the game."

Boateng's sending off prompted the former England, Nottingham Forest, Liverpool and Manchester City striker to recount advice that was handed down to him decades ago.

"I used to work with a very decent man called Graham Taylor at England and he said ultimately players will always let you down," Clough said

"I don’t trust players, I really don't. Any of them, as good a squad as we have got, I don't trust players."

While Clough was scathing of Boateng, he also accepted some of the blame after not listening to assistant manager Andy Garner when prompted to replace the 28-year-old.

“It's my fault, I should have brought Boateng off when he was on a yellow card," Clough said.

"Andy said, 'Are you going to get him off'? And I said, 'Give him five minutes'. Then he goes and makes a tackle like that, which for an experienced player to do when on a yellow card is quite incredible.

"Normally when players are on yellow cards we bring them off. They will come off in future every time."

Clough went on to say the loss, after going "toe to toe" with a Bolton side that came within a win of being promoted back to the Championship last season, left him "hugely frustrated and disappointed".

Mansfield's defeat at Bolton, following three successive 1-0 losses against Wycombe, Wrexham and Bristol Roves, leaves them 10th in the table.